Puerto Rico has a rich history of farming, ranching and producing agricultural products. The productive soil, rainfall and year-round growing temperatures allow for the growth of many crops and livestock. While the number of farms in Puerto Rico have been on the decline over the past several decades, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that as recently as 2018, over 8,200 farms were in operation, producing hundreds of millions of dollars in annual sales.
The agricultural industry in Puerto Rico also employees a significant number of workers. Farm safety for these workers is an important topic as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as recently as 2019, there were 573 fatalities in the agricultural sector for the entire United States, making farming one of the more dangerous occupations.
In addition to fatal accidents and serious injuries, farmers and agricultural workers can be at risk of exposure to a number of airborne hazards that could negatively impact their health. These include everything from mold, bacteria and viruses, to dusts - including combustible dusts, fumes, insecticides, fungicides, disinfectants and fertilizers to name just a few. Exposure to various hazardous gases can also be a risk. These could include elevated concentrations of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other gases.
“Since 1944, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “At Zimmetry, our environmental professionals and industrial hygiene experts support the agricultural industry in Puerto Rico and the surrounding region with testing, monitoring, consulting and training services. These services cover exposure risks to microbial and chemical hazards. We also provide confined space and personal protective equipment training, including respiratory fit testing services to help ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.”
To support the efforts of National Farm Safety and Health Week, Zimmetry recently sponsored an educational video that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Pwp9S-LuTqg
To learn more about this or other environmental and industrial hygiene testing, consulting, training and compliance services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
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